VOCs & pesticides
Tetrachloroethylene in U.S. tap water
34 public water systems across 11 U.S. states report Tetrachloroethylene in their annual Consumer Confidence Report. None currently sit at or above the federal limit.
What it is
An industrial solvent (PCE) used in dry cleaning and degreasing.
Why it's regulated
A likely human carcinogen; long-term exposure above the federal limit can damage the liver and kidneys.
Within the federal limit (32)
| Water system | Measured |
|---|---|
| Allentown, PA 2024 annual report | 2.9 ug/L |
| Pomona, CA 2024 annual report | 0–2 ug/L |
| Fontana, CA 2024 annual report | 0.02 ug/L |
| El Monte, CA 2024 annual report | 0–1.6 ug/L |
| Glendale, CA 2024 annual report | 1.05 ug/L |
| Rialto, CA 2024 annual report | 0.73 ug/L |
| Tempe, AZ 2024 annual report | 0–0.7 ug/L |
| Mesa, AZ 2024 annual report | 0–0.62 ug/L |
| Gilbert, AZ 2024 annual report | 0.0001 mg/L |
| Bakersfield, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Chico, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| City of Hampton, VA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| City of Newport News, VA 2025 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| City of Poquoson, VA 2025 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| City of Poquoson, VA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Cleveland, OH 2024 annual report | Not detected |
| Columbus, OH 2025 annual report | Not detected |
| Fullerton, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Hampton, VA 2025 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| High Point, NC 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| James City County, VA 2025 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| James City County, VA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Madison, WI 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Mobile, AL 2024 annual report | Not detected |
| Montgomery, AL 2024 annual report | Not detected |
| Nashville, TN 2023 annual report | Not detected |
| Newport News, VA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Pasadena, CA 2023 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Plano, TX 2024 annual report | 0–0 ug/L |
| Visalia, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| York County, VA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| York County, VA 2025 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
Frequently asked
+What is Tetrachloroethylene?
An industrial solvent (PCE) used in dry cleaning and degreasing. A likely human carcinogen; long-term exposure above the federal limit can damage the liver and kidneys.
+What is the federal limit for Tetrachloroethylene in drinking water?
The federal MCL for Tetrachloroethylene is 5 ug/L. The EPA enforces this against the regulated reporting statistic (typically a running annual average or 90th percentile), not a single-sample spike.
+How many U.S. water systems have Tetrachloroethylene over the federal limit?
Zero of the 34 public water systems in The Water Map dataset currently report Tetrachloroethylene at or above its federal limit.
+How can I check if Tetrachloroethylene is in my city's tap water?
Search your city on The Water Map (https://www.thewatermap.com/) or browse the list on this page. Every U.S. public water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report that lists every contaminant it measured, including Tetrachloroethylene.